Top 25 Quotes by Jonathan Swift of 433 - Page 4

The worthiest people are the most injured by slander, as is the best fruit which the birds have been pecking at.

The worthiest people are the most injured by slander, as is the best fruit which the birds have been pecking at.

People, Bird, Fruit

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Ears, Purses, Turnips

Jonathan Swift (1856). “The Works of Jonathan Swift ...: Containing Interesting and Valuable Papers, Not Hitherto Published ... With Memoir of the Author”, p.349

As love without esteem is capricious and volatile; esteem without love is languid and cold.

Jonathan Swift

Love, Cold, Capricious

Quotations are best brought in to confirm some opinion controverted.

Jonathan Swift

Opinion, Quotations

Jonathan Swift, Thomas Roscoe (1859). “The works of Jonathan Swift, D.D.: with copious notes and additions and a memoir of the author”, p.316

My nose itched, and I knew I should drink wine or kiss a fool.

Jonathan Swift

Wine, Kissing, Noses

Jonathan Swift (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Jonathan Swift (Illustrated)”, p.766, Delphi Classics

Pride, ill nature, and want of sense, are the three great sources of ill manners.

Jonathan Swift

Pride, Three, Want

Jonathan Swift (1861). “The Works of Jonathan Swift ...: With Cop'ous Notes and Additions”, p.621

Politics, as the word is commonly understood, are nothing but corruptions.

Jonathan Swift

Political, Politics, Corruption

Jonathan Swift (1768). “The works of Dr. Jonathan Swift ...: With the author's life and character; notes, historical, critical, and explanatory; tables of contents, and indexes. More complete than any preceding edition ... Accurately corrected by the best editions”, p.365

One enemy can do more hurt than ten friends can do good.

Jonathan Swift

Hurt, Military, Enemy

Jonathan Swift, John Hawkesworth, Deane Swift (1768). “Letters Written By The Late Jonathan Swift, D. D. Dean of St. Patrick's, Dublin; And Several Of His Friends: From The Year 1703 To 1740”, p.174

In church your grandsire cut his throat; to do the job too long he tarried: he should have had my hearty vote to cut his throat before he married.

Jonathan Swift

Jobs, Cutting, Should Have

'Verses on the Upright Judge'

When I am reading a book, whether wise or silly, it seems to me to be alive and talking to me.

Jonathan Swift

Wise, Silly, Book

Jonathan Swift, David Laing Purves (1871). “The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D.: Carefully Selected; with a Biography of the Author”, p.520

May you live all the days of your life.

Jonathan Swift

Inspirational, Life, Birthday

Jonathan Swift (1768). “The works of Dr. Jonathan Swift ...: With the author's life and character; notes, historical, critical, and explanatory; tables of contents, and indexes. More complete than any preceding edition ... Accurately corrected by the best editions”, p.153

Although men are accused of not knowing their own weakness, yet perhaps few know their own strength. It is in men as in soils, where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not of.

Jonathan Swift

Strength, Men, Knowing

Jonathan Swift (2013). “Delphi Complete Works of Jonathan Swift (Illustrated)”, p.896, Delphi Classics

Few are qualified to shine in company, but it is in most men's power to be agreeable.

Jonathan Swift

Men, Shining, Good Nature

'Thoughts on Various Subjects' (1706)

All human race would be wits. And millions miss, for one that hits.

Jonathan Swift

Race, Missing, Would Be

Jonathan Swift (1860). “The Works of Jonathan Swift ...: With Copious Notes and Additions, and a Memoir of the Author”, p.347

Argument is the worst sort of conversation.

Jonathan Swift

Wisdom, Communication, Opinion

Jonathan Swift (1998). “The Sayings of Jonathan Swift”, p.21, Gerald Duckworth & Co

A chuck under the chin is worth two kisses.

Jonathan Swift

Kissing, Two, Certainty

Jonathan Swift, Thomas Roscoe (1859). “The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D.: With Copious Notes and Additions and a Memoir of the Author”, p.57

A wise man will find us to be rogues by our faces.

Jonathan Swift

Wise, Men, Rogues

Common fluency of speech in many men and most women is owing to a scarcity of matter.

Jonathan Swift

Men, Scarcity, Owing

Jonathan Swift (1761). “The Works of Dr Jonathan Swift, Dean of St Patrick's, Dublin. Accurately Corrected by the Best Editions. With the Author's Life and Character; Notes Historical, Critical, and Explanatory; Tables of Contents, and Indexes. More Complete Than Any Preceding Edition. In Eight Volumes”, p.388